“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”

This past week I have struggled to learn what used items are worth and how to make contact with people who want stuff I’ve found in the church building that I don’t need or want. Some things appear to be trash to me, but are valuable to others.

For example, there are quite a few old doors and windows stored in the building. I was not aware that there is a market for these things, so I had thrown a couple of them on the trash pile. When my daughter visited me over the weekend she excitedly began to gather them up and told me that they could be sold.

I assumed that the pew/chairs that were used by the congregation would be worth something to someone, but I did not know how to price or advertize them. I have sold a few things on Craig’s List and E-bay in the past, so I posted them there. I have been surprised by the response. A couple people have contacted me with offers to buy all I have. Others are asking questions about how they can buy combinations of singles, doubles, triples and quads. I am asking what seems like a lot of money to me, $50/seat, but that does not seem to be too much to the people who want them.

Yesterday, I sold a half dozen old baseboard electric heaters. The buyer drove 1.5 hours to get them. I am currently conversing with a lady who said she has been looking everywhere for the drop-ceiling insulated 2ftX4ft tiles that I listed on Craig’s list. To her, $25 is a small price to pay for what appears to me to be a worthless pile of used construction material.

Also yesterday, I met a man who told me about a guy who tears down old buildings and repurposes the lumber. I hope to contact that guy. My current budget includes $10,000 to raze and dispose of the back half of the structure. Wouldn’t it be nice to save that money and maybe even make something instead?